Digital Policy Office convenes special meeting with Internet infrastructure and cybersecurity industry
The Digital Policy Office (DPO) is highly concerned about recent cybersecurity incidents affecting public and private organisations in Hong Kong, and held a special meeting with the Internet Infrastructure Liaison Group today (July 29) to discuss strategies for addressing increasingly severe cybersecurity challenges. The meeting also invited the Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and President of the Hong Kong Cybersecurity Professional Association, Dr Rocky Cheng, to participate in discussions, aiming to strengthen collaboration with the cybersecurity industry and collectively safeguard the security and resilience of Hong Kong's digital and cyber ecosystem.
The Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Tony Wong, stated during the meeting, "The DPO has always placed great importance on cybersecurity. This special meeting not only thoroughly analysed the causes of recent cybersecurity incidents and discussed optimising technical measures, but also enabled the industry to identify potential risks earlier and enhance defences, thereby improving Hong Kong's overall cybersecurity environment."
Mr Wong stressed, "Several major events will take place in Hong Kong in the second half of this year, including celebrations for the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, commemorative activities for the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance, the Election Committee Subsector By-elections, the 15th National Games, and the eighth-term Legislative Council general election, etc. These events extensively utilise information technology, and cybersecurity is critical to ensure the smooth execution of the large-scale events. The Internet infrastructure and cybersecurity industries stakeholders must collaborate closely and remain vigilant."
The DPO will maintain close communication with the Internet infrastructure stakeholders and the cybersecurity industry to strengthen protective measures for digital infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity monitoring, threat intelligence sharing and analysis, and conduct large-scale cybersecurity attack and defence drills to improve the defence and response capabilities of relevant systems and teams. These efforts aim to ensure the security of Hong Kong's Internet infrastructure and digital government services during these major events, while fully supporting the smooth operation of information systems related to these significant activities.
Digital Policy Office convenes special meeting with Internet infrastructure and cybersecurity industry Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.
An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
